Definition of athletic in English:

adjective

• 1Physically strong, fit, and active.

  ‘big, muscular, athletic boys’

  More example sentences

  • ‘He was a short man, less than five feet tall, but in his young days he was physically strong and athletic.’
  • ‘Their gracefulness and expressiveness hid the fact that they were also very athletic and strong.’
  • ‘They're athletic, quick, strong, aggressive guys and they're always improving.’
  • ‘This must have been quite an achievement on a rope ladder and, to the best of my knowledge, he was not a very strong or athletic person.’
  • ‘But he is a strong swimmer with an athletic build, and he eventually manages to save himself.’
  • ‘Big and strong but not as athletic as he needs to be, Snyder has room for improvement.’
  • ‘They may be the stronger sex, powerful and athletic and all that, but men are as supple as steel girders.’
  • ‘Her body, once the robust athletic image of health, now requires a machine to keep it alive.’
  • ‘Shay's father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team.’
  • ‘He was also an athletic boy yet he had no great liking for games.’
  • ‘You would be hard pressed to find a more athletic person from a physical standpoint.’
  • ‘Darling, if you are a fit thirty-year-old, a sleeveless vest will indeed make you look sporty and athletic.’
  • ‘Usually lean, they have strong bodies and may even be quite athletic.’
  • ‘As his athletic bulk has turned to flab, he is now seen as a danger only to fellow-users of public transport.’
  • ‘He was a slim and athletic young man in his mid-twenties with a copper tan.’
  • ‘Ollie Walsh was so brave and athletic and was quite the greatest hurling goalkeeper I saw.’
  • ‘In the film, Harris is an athletic coal miner determined to play professional rugby.’
  • ‘On the down side, she wasn't very athletic and she hung out with some odd people.’
  • ‘This frog is the most athletic of all the frogs and has a broad background in physical endeavours.’

  Synonyms

  muscular, muscly, sturdy, strapping, well built, powerfully built, strong, powerful, robust, able-bodied, vigorous, hardy, lusty, hearty, hale and hearty, brawny, burly, broad-shouldered, thickset, Herculean

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• 2attributive Relating to athletes or athletics.

  ‘athletic events’

  ‘an athletic club’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Brian is a member of the Newcastle athletic club and the long jump is his specialist field.’
  • ‘Sports physiologists know that athletic ability does not deteriorate nearly as rapidly as was once thought.’
  • ‘Eight years later Tokyo was host to one of the greatest athletic battles in recent history.’
  • ‘He has forged an impressive path to the pinnacle of one of the world's greatest athletic events.’
  • ‘It was an athletic event held against the backdrop of race, war, religion, and theatrics.’
  • ‘They don't have to be the best or even better than average in every athletic event.’
  • ‘During school I was always involved in sports and generally excelled in all athletic events.’
  • ‘Together they have kept Tinryland athletic club to the forefront of national athletics.’
  • ‘We take this opportunity to thank them for their many hours of hard work and commitment to the athletic club.’
  • ‘Many people stretch before or after engaging in athletic activity.’
  • ‘The company has become a $9 billion powerhouse that dominates the athletic shoe market.’
  • ‘When I work on it, I really enjoy it but it's almost like professional athletic training.’
  • ‘For competitions, archers will wear white shirts, white pants and white athletic shoes.’
  • ‘Paddy was always great company and is very sadly missed by the athletic fraternity.’
  • ‘He said they are starting their athletic training right away to prepare for it.’
  • ‘Many people think of sports medicine as merely the treatment of athletic injuries.’
  • ‘Her athletic prowess was demonstrated in the numerous track and field trophies she won.’
  • ‘In outdoor soccer, athletic attributes like speed and strength can be maximised.’
  • ‘It is the height of the athletic track season and Sligo athletes are getting in on the action.’
  • ‘The cold was no match for these paragons of athletic prowess and goodwill.’
  • ‘Up to this juncture Pat was a heavy smoker, lived life to the full and certainly showed no athletic prowess.’

  Synonyms

  sporting, sports, games, gymnastic

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